HLC Ankara | Dr. Elif | 3201 grafts | 17-18 May 2023

[Idan]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share my HT journey at HLC. I'm now 8 months (and a few days) after the surgery. I'm 35 years old (on the day of the surgery I was 2 weeks shy of my 35 birthday - and I thought an HT would be a great present for me ).

Before committing to HLC, I also consulted (online) with De Freitas and Pekiner. They quoted me for 2700 and 2800 grafts respectively. De Freitas suggested dates in more than a year time and also required a very heavy medication protocol so I didn't proceed with this option. While Pekiner was my first option, some factors made me choose HLC (earlier dates available and a contact person in my country which made me feel more comfortable about the surgery. In addition I had a live consultation few months before the surgery with Dr. Ozgur).

The surgery was performed over 2 days exclusively by Dr. Elif (which I requested). 3201 grafts were extracted and implemented. 2600 at 50 grafts per cm2 on the "U" and another 600 grafts at 20 per cm2 to add some density to the area before. I have to say that the whole process felt extremely professional, and I really enjoyed it. Regarding the hairline, I think that in retrospect I would prefer the to be more V-shaped, and in addition, it's a bit asymmetrical unfortunately(?). I noticed it during the hairline design phase and mentioned it, the hairline consultant made some corrections but it didn't address the issue completely. It's not that critical, especially with long hair, but I would like to hear your opinion.

Regarding my hair loss history and medication: I started using Nizoral 2% and topical foam minoxidil back in 2013 which I used for around 9 years (on the frontal hair loss only). In Dec 2021 I started using topical finasteride+minoxidil solution, and in July 2022 I decided to give low-dosage oral finasteride a try (0.5mg daily for two months and then 0.25mg daily), but I had to stop after 3.5 months due to side effects. In the last 5 months before the surgery I used minoxidil foam 3 times a week (in a vision to stop), and took some saw palmetto pills. Two weeks before the surgery I decided to give finasteride another try - took 1mg weekly (0.5mg * 2). I thought that maybe it could be beneficial for the grafts survival. Unfortunately, I had to stop around two weeks after the surgery, again because of (the same) side effects. Currently, I'm not taking any medication except the Nizoral and I feel that the hair loss is pretty stable (I'm hopeful that it will remain this way - but if not I have some grafts left in my donor which was assessed to have around 7500 grafts available before the surgery).

Some pictures:

At the airport:

Right before surgery:

 

 

 

Right after:

 

 

13 days post surgery:

 

 

1 month:

 

2 months:

 

2.5 months:

3 months:

 

4 months:

 

10 days before 5 months:

Different lightning (somehow flattering):

 

5 months:

 

1 week shy of 6 months:

 

6 months:

 

10 days before 7 months:

 

 

 

5 days before 7 months:

 

7 months:

 

7.5 months:

 

 

Almost 8 months:

 

8 months:

 

I would like to hear your opinion. Thanks for reading.

 

Edit: I'm not sure why the two pictures below appear twice. If possible I would like them to be removed - I tried to remove by editing the post unsuccessfully.

Edited January 22 by Idan

[MazAB]

Wow, incredible man! Congrats! HLC is by far one of the best clinics in Turkey. You chose well!!! Have you considered taking a topical form of Finasteride? A product called Xyon, is awesome for sustained release of Finasteride to significantly reduce systemic absorption. Might be worth a shot so you have an insurance policy for that gorgeous hair you now have😁

Edited January 23 by MazAB

[duchaine]

great!!!

[wembley]

top class result. Congrats ! HLC is one of the best clinics in Turkey!

[Gatsby]

@Idan these are excellent results. You must be delighted! Thanks for the update! 👌

[Melvin- Admin]

10 hours ago, Canonx said:

I got a price from Dr. Bek who left this clinic 1,5EUR ,I wonder what you paid?

thanks

Why are you posting this here? 

[Maorizio]

10 hours ago, Canonx said:

I got a price from Dr. Bek who left this clinic 1,5EUR ,I wonder what you paid?

thanks

HLC are priced 2.5 per graft as of today.

But just because Bek worked there it doesn’t mean he’s better than their current surgeons.

Idan the OP, great results, very dense and natural, no needs for meds if the hair loss is stable, just keep an eye on it.

Edited January 23 by Maorizio

[BaldGuy]

That’s an awesome result from HLC with high density and natural hairline. Enjoy your new hair 👍

[Idan]

22 hours ago, MazAB said:

Wow, incredible man! Congrats! HLC is by far one of the best clinics in Turkey. You chose well!!! Have you considered taking a topical form of Finasteride? A product called Xyon, is awesome for sustained release of Finasteride to significantly reduce systemic absorption. Might be worth a shot so you have an insurance policy for that gorgeous hair you now have😁

Currently the hair-loss feels pretty stable so I’ll just keep tracking, but if needed I’ll probably use low dose topical finasteride as I know I managed that well in the past.

The product you mentioned sounds interesting so I will check it out. Thanks.

 

I paid 2.5 euro per graft.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ll keep updating in the next months.

[Divinehair]

perfect result. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[Idan]

Short update.

9 months, wet hair (right side is lacking compared to left):

 

Donor:

 

10 months 10 days (I think now the right side is already better):